Thousands of people each year are diagnosed with mesothelioma. This rare form of cancer is particularly devastating because most victims have presented symptoms of the disease for decades but they were misdiagnosed as common cold or flu-like ailments. As with any cancer, early detection is the key to surviving the longest and misdiagnosis usually means most patients are diagnosed in a late stage of the cancer. Nutrition will play a big role in nourishing your body to help maintain a strong immune system.
In this month’s blogs you will find nutrition tips for the three main therapies for mesothelioma: chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. You will also learn how fats, carbohydrates, proteins and more can help you build up your immune system when consumed in proper proportions. You will also learn food and safety guidelines you should follow during treatment and nutrition tips for patients with advanced cancer.
Nutrition is an important part of a mesothelioma cancer treatment. Eating well during treatments will help you regain your strength, keep up your weight, decrease your risk of infection, heal and recover more quickly, better tolerate the side effects of treatment and generally make you feel better. This month’s blogs will focus on topics to help you embrace nutrition as a weapon in your defense against the cancer.
As with any diet, consult your physician to make sure you are following the best nutrition plan for your particular mesothelioma cancer diagnosis and mesothelioma treatment. Make sure your caregivers are aware of the optimal nutrition plan for you as well.
Mostly, a peritoneal mesothelioma prognosis for most patients is rather grim. Because mesothelioma cancer is extremely aggressive and has a long latency period, most patients are diagnosed already presenting in advanced stages. The mesothelioma survival rate is on average two years. These statistics do not represent every experience with a mesothelioma diagnosis and there are some exceptions to the numbers. Most people who survive past the standard life timeline for mesothelioma have employed medical treatment methodologies and/or diet and nutritional advances in health and healing.
Currently, a number of different issues determine a peritoneal mesothelioma prognosis. Depending upon the type, location, stage, metastasis and general health of the patient, diet will play an important factor in healing and maintaining health. Make sure to include many healthy fats in your diet at this time. Fats help to build new cells and assist in important body functions, including energy. It can come from butter, margarine, vegetable oil, nuts and seeds. Fats in animal foods include: poultry, meat, fish, dairy and eggs.
Some fats are more nutritional than others. It is best to choose mono-unsaturated fats that are found in olive oil, nuts, fish and avocados. Avoid foods high in trans fat.
One thing is clear – patients receiving a peritoneal mesothelioma prognosis should select a treatment option that is followed by good nutrition.